About

Bio

Hello,

Welcome to the MACH3Ti.com web Site. Please be assured that I have the experience and training with advanced aerospace materials, metal alloys, and composites to authenticate the items represented on this web site. I have 30+ years in my profession.

As a Supervisor and Chief of Metals Technology for the 9th Reconnaissance Wing I managed personnel and assets in the maintenance of SR-71 Blackbird, U-2 Dragonlady, KC-135Q Stratotanker, and T-38 Talon aircraft. My career experience also involved supervisory machinist support on the following airframes and related support equipment, B-52G, B-52H, KC-135A, T-37, A-10, UH-1. I was twice PRP certified to work on nuclear weapons systems and routinely performed maintenance on live nuclear weapons and "cocked" nuclear weapons system assets and alert aircraft. I also had the extreme honor working for the Lockheed Martin Corporation as a Machinist / Welder maintaining Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters in support of the US Army, 160th AVIM, Panama.

During the SR-71/ U-2 program our teams work Involved fabrication, modification, and emergency repairs, providing mission and launch support of aircraft and support equipment. As a team leader I supervised all metal working operations using the latest advanced equipment and machine tools, metals processing and joining techniques as well as heat treating, electroplating, and testing. Responsibilities included work center management, training apprentices, designing and fabricating special tools, and fixtures, upgrading and improving procedures and technical publications for system components on the SR-71 Blackbird, the Worlds most advanced all titanium aircraft.

Our team reworked and improved the techniques for rebuilding the SR-71 propulsion system Inlets, Forward By-Pass Doors, the most critical system responsible for the high speed performance and safe operation of the SR-71 aircraft. The function of these inlet systems are unfathomable being capable of controlling 100,000 cubic feet of air per second.

The SR-71 Blackbirds set numerous World speed records flying at sustained speeds over 2200 miles per hour at over 85,000 feet in altitude. These records to this day have not been broken.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Thank You!

AMERICA'S SHEILD OF FREEDOM / 1947 TO 1992

45 YEARS OF PEACE THOUGH STRENGTH

“The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. As we got farther and farther away, it diminished in size. Finally, it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. Seeing this has to change a man. I felt the power of God as I’d never felt it before”

HAND MADE RINGS USING AUTHENTIC MISSION FLOWN TITANIUM PARTS OF THE SR-71 BLACKBIRDS

HAND CUT • HAND SHAPED • HAND GROUND • HAND POLISHED

I use no automated or standard machine tools in the creation of my rings and collectibles.Each ring is meticulously crafted by hand using only basic hand tools. Each ring employs a three day process to complete.

GRINDING BLACKBIRD TITANIUM

RECLAIMED / RECYCLED METAL ARTSThe authentic materials are actual used mission flown parts that were subjected to the most punishing environments that any aircraft in history has been exposed to. Because of this, the materials may contain original Skunk Works, tooling marks, wear chaffing, fabrication and surface stress indications. When possible these visual imperfections are left intentionally. They are a part of the phenomenal history of mankind's greatest achievement in aviation.

Colorized Titanium Rings are a natural effect of the SR-71 Titanium.

The titanium is highly resistance to acids, alkalines, and salts. However when the titanium is submitted to high temperatures it has a high affinity to oxygen. This means that the metal absorbs oxygen creating oxides where exposed on it surface. This is a beneficial characteristic of the titanium allowing the metal to virtually "heal" itself, protecting it from further corrosive actions. These oxides form a very thin transparent layer on the surface which disperses the refracted light in all the colors of the rainbow.

For my Titanium Rings, I use the natural flame method. My process allows for a full deep gloss finish. The colors displayed are the natural colors produced by the composition of the alloy and the variation of oxygen absorbed into the titanium's surface resulting in a more reflective and colorful surface.

FYI- It was by accident that the test engineers discovered the natural radar emissivity of the Blackbirds Titanium. The special characteristics and properties exhibited by this Titanium played a key role in its success. One being that the Titanium provides fifty more times direct current resistance than aluminum and even more so while at operating temperature. The result is the Blackbirds having a naturally lower radar cross section.

This photo shows me holding in my bare hand a small shard of Titanium from the SR-71, glowing RED HOT! Try that with a piece of aluminum or stainless steel.

My Items are 100% guaranteed AUTHENTIC

The materials I use are ACTUAL SR-71 BLACKBIRD PARTS. These parts were installed and used on the Blackbird airframes during many top secret high speed missions flying at altitudes near the edge of space. They were replaced during the course of normal maintenance and sold as scrap metal 25 years ago.

From a mission flown part of the SR-71's Ejector Nozzle to a beautiful and unique set of Titanium rings.Your rings will be composed from the special Grade 6 Titanium Alloy with history beyond reproach.These Low Profile style rings still retain and display the original "Skunk Works" fabrication spot weld impressions.A specially developed material and process that provided the strength and durability to propel the Blackbirds at over 2200 mph at the edge of space.

Have a great day !

No symbols, photos, or any colorable imitation of such words, initials, or seals in connection with any merchandise, impersonation, solicitation, or commercial activity in any manner is to be calculated to convey the impression that such use is approved, or endorsed, by any Agency, or person.